It’s finally here! After 116 days of off season, the NHL Regular Season is upon us.

How do you describe your feelings the night before hockey season? This sportswriter can only compare it to a kid on Christmas Eve. I have been looking forward, to this day, since last year’s disappointing final loss by the Boston Bruins against rival Montreal Canadians in the semifinals of the playoffs.

The Bruins are projected to be a contender again this year even after trading veteran defenseman Johnny Boychuk away for draft picks to the New York Islanders. Blue liners Zdeno Chara and Dennis Seidenberg will once again be expected to keep this “defense first” team on the right path. The signing of defenseman Torey Krug and right winger Reilly Smith should keep the Bruins even keeled with two point producing players. Both have inked one year contracts to remain with the team and hopefully they can pick up where they left off last season.

Predictions: I feel that the Bruins will be strong throughout the season and as long as there are no injuries like last season. The Bruins should easily be the Atlantic Division Champs.